In a world where grand weddings have become the norm, Anna and Ben decided to embark on a different path and embrace the freedom of eloping in the heart of Downtown Roanoke at Fire Station One.
Their intimate celebration was filled with love, joy, and a sense of adventure. This blog recounts the story of their remarkable day, from the preparations at the Fire Station One Boutique Hotel to the heartfelt vows exchanged in Downtown Roanoke, and the festivities that followed at Olde Salem Brewing Company.
Getting Ready Together at Fire Station One
The excitement of the day was visible as Anna (she/her) and Ben (he/him) prepared for their elopement at the Fire Station One Boutique Hotel. This unique establishment, located in the heart of Downtown Roanoke, was once a historic fire station but had since been transformed into a luxurious and charming boutique hotel. The couple’s choice to get ready in this distinctive venue set the tone for their extraordinary day.
The hotel’s spacious and beautifully appointed suites provided an amazing backdrop for the couple to prepare for their big day. Anna and Ben elected to get ready together for their elopement day where Anna would adorn herself in a simple yet stunning wedding dress from Ivory on Campbell, a wedding dress boutique located right off of Campbell Avenue in Downtown Roanoke, and Ben would get into his vibrant blue tailored suit. I was sure to capture the beautiful bouquet and floral pocket square created by Nalli from Blossom & Bliss Flowers.
Anna and Ben got ready in the Contemporary Cottage Room. The room was light and bright; I personally described it as a “photographer’s playground” because of it’s awesome skylight and massive windows that made taking photos of Anna and Ben so easy. The room also features various farmhouse materials and subtle nods to Roanoke’s pastoral past, this room provides a quaint (and private) home-away-from-home.
Fun fact about all of the suites at Fire Station One: All the furniture is handmade by Txtur in Roanoke, Virginia and available for purchase! Txtur takes a Factory to Family Room approach that links you directly to the crafters of your furniture, ensuring that there are no middlemen and no hidden costs. So, if you’re looking for a very unique souvenir, have a piece of furniture shipped to you! What a fun way to remember your elopement day!
Additionally, I might add, Fire Station One is also home to a wonderful new restaurant called Stock, which offers a Nordic and Scandinavian inspired cuisine with a full cocktail bar and local wine selection. I’ve had the privilege of eating here not once, but twice and y’all — it is so good and it’ll make for a perfect post-elopement dinner, just the two of you. The Fried Gouda is a must and you really can’t go wrong with any of the main courses but my personal favorite is the Schnitzel. And the best part? Your room is just an elevator away! So, bottoms up!
And get this: Fire Station One is pet friendly! So, if you too want to have your elopement in Downtown Roanoke and stay at Fire Station One with your dogs, you can do that.
Downtown Roanoke Ring and Vow Exchange
The streets of Downtown Roanoke became the stage for the next chapter of Anna and Ben’s elopement. With the city’s charming atmosphere and vibrant energy as their backdrop, they embarked on a journey to exchange their vows and rings. They chose a quaint park nestled in city surrounded by a canopy of trees and twinkling tea lights above them. As the couple stood hand in hand, their love radiated through every word they spoke to one another. Their vows were written on recycled paper handmade in Roanoke, Virginia by a local maker called Write to Your Mom. After reading their vows, they exchanged rings to symbolize their commitment to one another and went in for their first kiss. At the conclusion of their ceremony, they returned to the front of Fire Station One for some quick portraits before heading off to their next stop.
How to Legally Get Married in Virginia
To begin, I want to clarify that it’s completely acceptable if you are already lawfully wedded in another state or country, or if you intend to have a legal marriage elsewhere and simply desire a symbolic elopement in Virginia. However, if you wish to ensure the legal validity of your ceremony, the first step is to acquire a marriage license from any of the Clerk of the Circuit Court offices. Numerous offices are available throughout the state, so you can conveniently locate the one nearest to your place of residence or intended wedding venue.
Virginia doesn’t impose any residency requirements for eloping, meaning you’re not obligated to be a resident of Virginia in order to get married within the state. When applying for your marriage license, be sure to bring a recent and valid form of identification, such as a passport, driver’s license, or state ID card. Additionally, you’ll be asked to provide the full names of both your parents as stated on their birth certificates. Please note that there is a $30.00 application fee that needs to be paid as well.
Both partners are required to visit the Circuit Court offices together, but you have the option to complete the Virginia marriage license application form ahead of time to speed up the process (you can search online for the website of your nearest Circuit Court office to access their marriage forms). Once you have done so, you’re good to go! After your application is approved, there’s no waiting period to continue with the marriage ceremony, and the license remains valid for a duration of 60 days.
While a Virginia wedding does not require witnesses, it’s important to note that self-officiation is not permitted. This means that you’ll need someone to serve as an officiant, as the state does not offer Justice of the Peace or courthouse weddings. The officiant must be registered with the state to legally perform marriages. Ordained ministers and marriage commissioners are also eligible to officiate. In some cases, a friend or relative can apply for a one-time civil officiant license to conduct your wedding ceremony. However, there’s a requirement that they must be a Virginia resident residing in the county where you plan to elope.
I understand that this whole process can be somewhat of a roller coaster ride, but rest assured, I’d gladly provide you with recommendations, particularly if you are visiting from another location! In Anna and Ben’s case, they handled the legal paperwork with a local officiant via a tabletop service the day before. If you wish to do a tabletop service the day before, the day after, or during a break cut into your elopement day, you’re looking at paying around $150, if you go to the officiant’s office. If you want them to come to you and be involved with your ceremony, it’ll be around $250. I personally recommend Casey Anderson for your officiant needs; he’s friendly and professional, a fellow member of the Roanoke Wedding Network (a network of licensed and professional wedding vendors based in the Roanoke area), an LGBTQ+ friendly officiant, and is happy to design whatever ceremony you wish whether secular, religious, non-denominational, interfaith, cultural, or civil.
Need more resources on how to find LGBTQ+ friendly vendors? You’ll want to check out these blogs: What to Look for When Searching for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Wedding Vendors, How to Find an LGBTQ+ Friendly Officiant for Your Elopement, and Inclusive Vendors and Wedding Venues in Virginia.
Cutting Cake and Cracking a Cold One at Olde Salem Brewing Company
After the heartfelt exchange of vows, Anna and Ben continued their celebration at the Olde Salem Brewing Company. This rustic brewery offered the perfect setting for the couple to relax, revel in the moment, and create lasting memories. The two frequent the Salem location and we were happy to see that they had a new satellite location open up in Downtown Roanoke off of Market Street, just a short walking distance from their hotel.
The aroma of freshly brewed beer filled the air as Anna and Ben cut into their vibrant yellow, lemon-flavored cake created by Stephanie from Your Dessert Bar Virginia. Each of us had two slices each — it was just that good!
With an array of craft beers to choose from, Anna and Ben indulged in the delightful flavors offered by Olde Salem Brewing Company. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, providing the perfect backdrop for a friendly game of gin rummy. The sound of cards shuffling, accompanied by bursts of laughter and banter, filled the room. It was a perfect representation of Anna and Ben’s playful spirits and their shared love for spontaneous adventures.
Anna and Ben’s elopement in Downtown Roanoke was a celebration of love, freedom, and the beauty of simplicity. From their preparations at Fire Station One to their heartfelt exchange of vows in a picturesque park, every moment was filled with joy and authenticity. Olde Salem Brewing Company provided the perfect backdrop for a lively celebration, complete with cake cutting, beer toasting, and an unforgettable game of gin rummy. The city, with its lively energy and welcoming charm, felt like it was celebrating with them.
Their decision to elope allowed Anna and Ben to focus on what truly mattered: their love for one another. Their story serves as a reminder that the essence of a wedding lies not in extravagant displays, but in the genuine connection and shared moments.
Anna and Ben’s Wedding Vendors
Venue/Lodging: Fire Station One Boutique Hotel (Book Rooms Here)
Wedding Dress: Ivory on Campbell
Bouquet/Floral Pocket Square: Blossom & Bliss Flowers
Cake/Dessert: Your Dessert Bar Virginia
Brewery/Beers: Olde Salem Brewing Company
Recycled Paper for Vows: Write to Your Mom
Did this blog inspire you to ditch the wedding and elope in Virginia? If so, I’d love to be your photographer and capture your special day! Fill out an inquiry form to get started or check out my pricing to learn more about my philosophy, practice, and packages.
